How to Break Your Amazon Habit

Amazon is a big business with some big drawbacks. Not only does the mega-retailer wield monopoly power, it’s received a bad rep for polluting and unsafe job conditions. Many of us subscribed to Amazon Prime for the sheer convenience and access to variety of well-priced products, but if you’ve been thinking about shopping elsewhere for environmental, ethical or other reasons (such as prices going up due to Trumps trade war tariffs), here are a few ways to reduce your use of or eliminate Amazon from your life.

Analyze your shopping habits – Why are you shopping on Amazon? Is it because it’s a convenient habit or is it because they carry a product you can’t source locally? Are your purchases planned or impulse driven by social media ads? Are your Amazon purchases needs or wants? Is it critical to have it overnight or in 2 days? Is it worth saving a buck to buy it through Amazon (and do they really have the best prices)? Are you buying things you could easily pick up at the grocery store or pharmacy during a regular visit? Are you actually saving money with Prime – can you justify the $140 membership fee or would it be better to pay shipping from a smaller retailer? Simply being mindful about what you choose to buy from Amazon could go a long way toward reducing your dependence.

Consider alternative online sources – If your concern is more about sending your money to Jeff Bezos than the heavy carbon footprint of shipping, Amazon is not the only game in town. Many of the products you purchase there can be found elsewhere online. Need petfood or supplies delivered on a schedule? Try Chewy.com. Can’t live without those supplements or skincare products that are hard to find locally? Many of those companies sell direct and have subscription services too. Etsy is a great place for gifts and handmade items from small businesses.

Buy local – Shopping locally is a great way to support neighborhood businesses. It’s also an investment in your community because it generates taxes and jobs. For artisan products and food, options include the Richmond Maker’s Market, local farmer’s markets, food festivals, and cultural events. For specialty coffee/tea try Rostov’s in the fan area. Ask your friends where they shop locally and make a plan to try a new place together.

Buy secondhand – There are numerous sources for previously-owned products online and locally. This keeps things out of the landfill and can save you a ton of money. Ebay, Facebook Marketplace, ThreadUp, Poshmark and The RealReal all have different online experiences. There are many local or franchised consignment stores including Uptown Cheapskate, Needful Things & More and Attic Consignments. A quick google search of “Consignment Stores Near Me” produced more than 20 results a short drive from my home. Goodwill or Diversity Thrift are also reasonable places too look for commonly donated household items, furnishings or toys. Need a muffin tin or a vase? Someone probably just dropped one off there and you can’t beat the price. ScrapRVA, is a local non-profit focused on creative reuse and is a great source for art, craft, and sewing supplies.

Mitigate the harm – Consider focusing your purchases on longer lasting, more durable or lower carbon footprint items. It may cost more upfront, but if you don’t have to replace as often or return lower quality goods, you’re making a big positive impact over time. Buy the more sustainable natural fiber garment instead of blends or polyester. Look for companies that promote sustainable manufacturing processes. Leave the single-season trends on the rack and instead buy the timeless option that will last you decades. Lost a button or ripped a seam? Consider repairing vs replacing. YouTube is full of how-to videos and ScrapRVA hosts Shasiko mending and other how-to classes to get you started. Ask your grocery stores to add more local and sustainable products – this takes time and real customer interest, but if you don’t ask they won’t know.

In summary, if you are looking to reduce or eliminate your Amazon purchases, the key takeaway is to be mindful about your options and do what works best for your life and budget. Small changes in habits can make a big impact over time.